The Offer

A maximum 30 hours of combined education and childcare will be offered to eligible working parents of 3 to 4 year olds for up to 48 weeks of the year. 

The 30 hours will consist of a combination of the existing Foundation Phase Nursery (12.5 hours) open to all 3 and 4 year olds and the additional funded childcare (17.5 hours) for eligible families. During the school holidays it will just consist of 30 hours funded childcare, for 3 weeks per term (9 weeks in total for the year).

When can I apply?

The offer is available for children from the term after their third birthday until the September following their fourth birthday when they are offered a full-time education place:

You will be able to submit your application approximately 12 weeks before the beginning of the term your child becomes eligible for the offer:

Who can apply?

You are eligible for the childcare offer if:

• your child is 3 or 4 years old
• you live in the Vale of Glamorgan 
• you work at least 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage
• both parents work if you are a two parent family
• you earn a weekly minimum equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW) (around £123.20 a week at the current 21-24 NMW and NLW rate respectively and £131.36 a week 25 and over) but less than £100k per year

What is available for children with additional needs in childcare provision?

There is an Additional Support Grant which is available to ensure the childcare element of the Offer is inclusive to eligible children with additional needs. It can be used for a number of purposes including: training for childcare providers, additional childcare staffing, specialist equipment, and physical adjustments to childcare provision. You can identify your child as having additional needs when you apply for the Offer. 

Before applying for the childcare offer you need to arrange a childcare place with a provider that is registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and is able to meet your childcare requirements.

You should talk to your childcare provider first as the childcare offer application form asks you to confirm which childcare provider you are using. 

To reduce delays please ensure you attach scans/photographs of the following supporting evidence:

• Child's birth certificate

• Parent’s Proof of residency (most recent Council Tax Statement)

• If Employed: Parent's last three months wage slips. If Self-Employed: Self-Assessment Tax Return and unique tax reference (UTR) number (If self-employed for less than 12 months, UTR number and projected earnings for the year)

To apply for the 12.5 hours Foundation Nursery Phase please contact the School Admissions team on 01446 709844 or alternatively visit their webpage. 

Will I have to pay anything?

The childcare offer funds a maximum of 30 hours of early education and childcare per week. The funding from the government is for the education and care the professionals within the setting provide. It does not include food, transport or off-site activities that incur an extra charge and providers will be able to charge you for these.

If providers normally charge parents per session, regardless of the number of hours the child attends, they can charge the full session under the Childcare Offer.

Deposits / retainers / holiday pay may still apply and you should talk to your childcare provider about this before entering a contract with them.

Your Childcare Offer in the Vale of Glamorgan - Leaflet